Glamour magazine unveiled its U.S. 2025 Women of the Year honorees on October 27, celebrating a class of trailblazers under the theme of "Sisterhood"—the bonds uniting women across industries, generations, and global challenges.
Among the nine standout figures are two Rachels: children's media sensation Ms. Rachel (real name: Rachel Griffin Accurso) and rising Hollywood star Rachel Zegler. Their selections have ignited controversy over their vocal pro-Palestinian stances amid the Israel-Hamas war.
The full list joins global icons like Demi Moore and Tyla, with the ceremony set for November 4 at The Plaza Hotel in New York City.
Spotlight on Ms. Rachel
At 42, Ms. Rachel has amassed a staggering 13 billion YouTube views and 17 million subscribers through her "Songs for Littles" channel, where she uses songs and play to teach toddlers literacy and emotional skills. Her approach, rooted in her background as a former preschool teacher and speech-language pathology student, has spawned nine books, sold-out toys, and a Netflix series that became the platform's seventh-most-watched show in early 2025 (and top kids' program).
Glamour praises her as a "cultural flashpoint" for blending "nursery school tenderness and moral clarity."
Her "activism" surged in 2024 with emotional Instagram Lives praying for Gaza's children, declaring, "I can't imagine what it's like to be a child in Gaza right now." Facing boycott calls and death threats, she defended her stance in the profile: "My support for Palestinian children is not antisemitic, it's about empathy for all kids." Of course, she never says anything about the Jewish kids massacred on October 7th.
Her blatant antisemitism weeping for Gazans led to lost brand deals, but she pushed on anyway.
